Key Takeaways:
- Google might launch a cheaper YouTube Premium Lite in South Korea without YouTube Music.
- This is to avoid trouble with South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC).
- The FTC says Google should not bundle YouTube Music with YouTube Premium.
- Premium Lite offers ad-free YouTube videos but no music service.
- Google is testing similar plans in the U.S. for $7.99 a month.
- South Korea is cracking down on tech companies for unfair practices.
Google’s New Plan for YouTube Premium in South Korea
Hey there, YouTube fans! Do you use YouTube Premium? Well, things might change soon for users in South Korea. Google is thinking about releasing a new version of YouTube Premium called “Premium Lite.” This version would cost less but wouldn’t include YouTube Music.
Why is Google doing this? It’s part of a bigger story about rules and regulations. Let’s break it down.
What’s Happening with Google and South Korea’s FTC?
Last year, South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) started looking into Google because of how it bundles YouTube Music with YouTube Premium. The FTC thinks this might be unfair and stop other music streaming services from growing.
To avoid more trouble, Google suggested a solution. They might offer a new, cheaper plan called Premium Lite. This plan would let users watch YouTube without ads, but they wouldn’t get YouTube Music. It’s like a middle ground to make everyone happy.
How Much Will Premium Lite Cost?
Right now, YouTube Premium in South Korea costs about $10 a month. YouTube Music alone is around $8.38. The new Premium Lite plan would be even cheaper—though we don’t know the exact price yet.
In the U.S., YouTube already started testing Premium Lite for $7.99 a month. It’s cheaper than the full Premium plan, which costs $13.99. So, South Korea might get a similar or even better deal.
Why Are People Using YouTube Music?
Here’s an interesting fact: Many people in South Korea use YouTube Music because it’s included with YouTube Premium. Not as many would pay for a music-only service. That’s why Google might be okay with removing it from the bundle.
If Premium Lite becomes popular, it could help Google grow its subscriber base. More people might join because it’s cheaper and still offers great benefits like ad-free videos.
Google’s Global Expansion
This isn’t the first time Google has tried something like this. In the U.S., Premium Lite is already being tested. It’s part of a bigger plan to get more people into YouTube’s subscription model. Lyor Cohen, a top music executive at YouTube, says this is a way to “feed” their subscriptions and keep growing.
By offering a cheaper plan, Google hopes to attract users who don’t want or need all the features of the full Premium plan. It’s like giving people options, so they can pick what’s best for them.
South Korea’s Crackdown on Tech Companies
South Korea is becoming stricter with tech companies. They want to make sure these platforms play fair and don’t hurt smaller competitors.
For example, last month, the FTC fined Kakao Entertainment, a big music and entertainment company, for misleading ads. They also checked major streaming services like Netflix and Spotify to ensure they’re treating users fairly.
Google isn’t the only one under scrutiny. The government is looking at all big tech platforms. This means we might see more changes in the future to make things fairer for everyone.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’re a YouTube Premium user in South Korea, you might soon have a choice:
- Keep the full Premium plan with YouTube Music.
- Switch to Premium Lite for cheaper, but lose YouTube Music.
But don’t worry too much. If you really want YouTube Music, you can still get it separately. Google is just giving people more options.
For everyone else, this shows how companies are adapting to new rules and trying to offer better deals. It’s all about giving users what they want while staying out of trouble with regulators.
So, what do you think? Would you switch to Premium Lite? Let us know in the comments!
